Advice on this Trooper

[WPSFan]

Hello all, new here ane love the site. I'm really interested in a trooper or montero and found what I thought was perfect. 99 Trooper, 3.5 with manual trans, 1 owner, 98k miles, looks immaculate and not overpriced. Issue is when a buddy ran the VIN Carfax says it has a branded title and possible mileage issue. Autocheck shows no mileage issue but does say title issue. I don't have any more details than that, he didn't give me the entire report, just said run away lol.

I called the owner of the car lot and he said his Carfax looks fine with no issues(that sounds kinda shady), and he sent me pictures of the title. It says original, but has permanent marker markings on it(looks like someone wrote a lot or auction # on it, which I would think voids it, but he guarantees it won't be an issue at the DMV). Below is a link to the ad, aside from the paperwork issue does anyone see why this isn't a solid buy? Anything specific I should look for mechanically? Any advice on the title issue? Any help or info is definitely appreciated!

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/4780998771.html

 

[BigSwede]

Says it is a one-owner with "all service records", you should be able to look at those and tell if the mileage is legit. I have no idea about the title issues.

The 3.5L with a manual is supposed to be a pretty spritely combination. You'll want to keep a close eye on engine oil, but other than that I wouldn't hesitate if you are satisfied with the provenance.

Check the frame for rust, rear crossmember behind the bumper is usually the first thing to go. The bodies are pretty rust resistant on the 2nd gens.

 

[Mrknowitall]

On the East Coast, the biggest thing I'd worry about is a flood car. That Trooper does check all the boxes. I can't say I'm not a little jealous.

 

[jhill15]

Thats a nice looking trooper, I would run your own carfax on it to see if it comes back as a branded title, looks to be a smaller car lot and those guys will tell you anything to make a sale. also take it to a reputable mechanic in that area that can put it on a lift and go over it. Im about 8 hours out of dc and I would probably drive in to check it out if I were in the market for a trooper just because of the mileage "if correct" and how clean it is.

Heres something for thought, if you do check it out and decide that your gonna buy it, take the dealer and the title to the dmv have it transfered over into your name then and there. If theres a problem with the title both you will know right then. If hes not willing to take an hour out of his day to make a sale then he probably knows something is wrong with the title.

Last time im gonna edit lol:

Do soe research on the car lot, if theyve only been in business for a year or 2 then chances are after they get through selling all their auction cars or locate a cheaper place to buy auctioned cars they will probably shut down after they make a quick buck.

If theyve been in buiseness a long time your chances of not buying a p.o.s. is alot better. Those guys value their buisness and and their reputation.

Good luck man and keep us posted!

 

[outofrshell]

That is an exact twin to our 2000 Trooper all but ours has leather interior and the one reason it may be selling for that price is it is a 5 speed. The dealer we bought ours from was very willing to negotiate because it was 5 speed and he said very few people want manuals any more (society in general is pretty shiftless any more). Isuzu people know better and the 5 speed is a sought after option I would say if the paper work checks and you find no other issues it would be a good deal but like said before do watch the oil level until you have put enough miles on it to see what it is doing. good luck Dave

 

[Mrknowitall]

Aaaaaand gone

 

[WPSFan]

Wasn't me. I decided to pass on it anyway, time just isn't right for a potential project, would have to DD it for a year and then make a 1k mile move. Probably wouldn't have thought twice if the title / odometer issue didn't pop up.

Wondering if it was someone that saw my post, could be pure coincidence but its been on CL since August and now its gone. Hopefully so, would rather see an enthusiast buy it.

Appreciate all of the input anyway!

 

[newworld2004]

it is back on CL for sale if any one is interested. I don't trust those little used car LOTs.

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/doc/cto/4802424937.html

 

[Macs B]

http://flood.carfax.com/ this site for checking the VIN against Hurricane Sandy database of damaged vehicles. Its free.

 

[WPSFan]

I thought it was gone, then back, then gone, now back again. Price dropped to $2950. Should I just go buy this thing? The 3.5 oil consumption issue is my main worry, I'd hate to buy this thing and pop the motor(I'd keep an eye on the oil but who knows if there's damage from previous neglect, thought about having a shop look it over and possibly do a compression test). Then there's the weird title issue, and the lot looks extremely sketchy from the google street view. Not an area you'd want to hang around even in broad day light..

I want it, bad, just don't want potential issues ..and I know there's no guarantee on that. Someone talk me into this, because my better judgment is winning for once.

 

[TheOneKnownAsMe]

Sounds like a super sketchy seller. I wouldn't touch it, personally, regardless of how enticing it looks. Just wait around, a good deal will pop up eventually.

 

[WPSFan]

Probably best to leave it alone, I just keep coming back to it. Sad part is when I googled the residence that was on the picture of the title he sent me it was in a super nice area and the Trooper was actually in the google street view. Call me a stalker but hey, gotta do your research. Then it was traded into what looked like a legitimate dealer(googled the Vin and it was once on their website), and then this sketchy dealer buys it. Shame.

 

[TheOneKnownAsMe]

Not sure why the sketchy dealer would buy it unless they were able to make a profit somehow, which isn't likely in this case. As much as I love my Trooper, the re-sale market is pretty poor and the chances of someone making a profit are slim to none. I saw a ton of sketchy car lots in Baton Rouge, LA where they would buy newer vehicles and then would turn around and sell them for $10k (think along the lines of a 2009 Tundra for $10k). I'm pretty sure they were buying them, chopping them up and selling parts or something, and then re-selling the vehicle in a barely-functioning form that would take a dump after a month of use.

Definitely a shame, as it appears to be in very good shape, and it's a manual.